Can I become a surrogate if I’m in the military?

Before we get started- we at Hatch thank you for your service! At Hatch we have been working with military families (both Surrogates and Intended Parents- for over 3 decades. While being a member of the United States military does not automatically disqualify you from surrogacy. It does bring some unique factors to consider. Our admissions team, match specialists and case managers have years of experience navigating these nuances and are confident that we can guide you through the process of applying, screening and the remainder of your surrogacy journey. Let’s dive into how this works!

Can I be a Surrogate when I’m on active duty in the Marines, Army, Air Force, or Navy?

Unfortunately, these 4 branches of the US military are not particularly supportive of Surrogates embarking on journeys while they are on active duty. There are risks to consider such as:

• Complications with your Tricare insurance (which does not cover surrogacy) when you are the primary sponsor
• The possibility of being PCS’d or re-stationed to a state that does not have surrogacy-friendly laws
• The possibility of deployment while not pregnant, but after matching.

Due to these challenges, at Hatch we cannot match Surrogates who are on active duty at this time.

Can I be a Surrogate while in the National Guard or Reserves?

Possibly! We have had Surrogates who serve in the military reserves. By most military regulations, a service member is non deployable upon pregnancy confirmation. We will require a clearance letter from your commanding officer stating this as well.

Can I be a Surrogate if my partner is in the military?

If your partner is an active duty service member and they should need to PCS or relocate, you would not be permitted to relocate with them for the duration of the surrogacy. This is due to the legal parentage process and to ensure that your insurance plan will cover where you give birth and receive medical care. Your contract will outline specific travel restrictions. We will also take into consideration any recent travel you or your partner have had.

What if I am a Veteran?

We have proudly supported many Veteran Surrogates through their journeys at Hatch. The key challenge is that VA benefits do not cover surrogacy so a surrogate-friendly insurance policy must be placed. The cost of that policy will be covered by your Intended Parents.

Are you able to obtain my military medical records if I gave birth while enrolled in Tricare/Using Military Facilities ?

A challenge that can come up regarding candidates who were in the military during their own pregnancies, is gathering medical records. It can sometimes take longer to acquire records from military treatment facilities than from civilian hospitals. Providing detailed information and even keeping your own records can help us tremendously. We will make every effort to collect all records.

How can I help my journey to go smoothly as a Military Surrogate?

During the surrogacy you will have multiple lab, monitoring and ultrasound appointments so it is important to communicate that to your support system and ensure that you can make a commitment to those appointments. We will assist you in scheduling your appointments and will make every effort to work with your schedule. A military lifestyle requires dedication, organization, discipline and being proactive, all traits that will lend themselves nicely to a surrogacy. Surrogacy is a wonderful opportunity to be of service to others while making a difference for your own family. We thank you for your service and dedication.